Summer should be a time of fun and freedom, but for many families in Central Minnesota, it’s a time of deep uncertainty. Without school meal programs and with rising grocery prices, far too many of our neighbors are struggling to put food on the table.
That’s why the Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf is once again participating in the Open Your Heart to the Hungry and Homeless Summer Challenge, and we need your help.
What Is the Summer Challenge?
Every July, food shelves across Minnesota take part in the Open Your Heart Summer Challenge, a statewide fundraising effort where donations are matched through grant funding. Every dollar you give to our food shelf in July helps us qualify for a matching grant of up to $4,000. It’s a powerful way to double your impact and keep meeting the growing need in our community.
The Need Has Never Been Greater
Food insecurity remains heartbreakingly common in our state. According to a 2024 statewide hunger study, 1 in 5 households in Minnesota are food insecure. We’ve seen that need firsthand: our food shelf has seen a dramatic rise in shoppers, including many families who have never needed help before. The cost of food is higher than ever, and families are forced to choose between groceries and rent, gas, or medications.
What We’re Doing
At the Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food Shelf, we offer more than food. We offer choice, dignity, and hope. Shoppers select the food that fits their family’s dietary, cultural, and health needs in a respectful, welcoming setting, with access to fresh produce, meat, and dairy. In 2024, we distributed more than 2.7 million pounds of food through our food shelf, mobile outreach, and emergency food bag programs, but we can’t do it alone.
How You Can Help
This July, your support means more than ever. Every donation to our food shelf during the Summer Challenge is matched, stretching your gift further to help feed families in Central Minnesota. Thank you for being part of this mission of compassion and community.
Want to learn more? Explore our Food Access programs, or visit oyh.org/summer-challenge to learn about the statewide Summer Challenge.
